What is a Shaman anyway?

Today I received mail in which my correspondent asked a question: What does it mean to be a Shaman?
Good question. I will do my best to answer it here.
In so far as the word "shaman" has associations with ancient traditions of spirituality it is a useful term to describe a modern day healer who walks between worlds.

One sphere of activity is the world seen by everyone. Here the shaman is witness to a way of life which honours the spirit of all things, and the interconnectedness of all things, as expressions of the One Life.
The other sphere of activity is a world which is sensed intuitively and approached by trained use of the higher mind. This is the world of Spirit. In this world the shaman travels to assist in the maintenance of health and balance, and to engage with aspects of the collective spirit.

The well springs of shamanistic practises are as many and varied as the cultural origins of humanity. In my case western Paganism forms the basis for activity. Others practise in the ways traditional to their areas of origin, be it the Americas, the Pacific or the Australian outback. All share a common understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, whether seen or unseen.

I take this opportunity to honour with thanks all my teachers and mentors who provided me with the understanding and training which allows me to serve in this way. There is one in particular who has always been with me, encouraging tenacity and perseverance, and guiding me lovingly around hazards. Bless you Gudryn.

Song of Gudryn

White waves and bracken

Blue woad and heather

Scree and kree of wave and wind

North Man

Grey hound, blue feather

Round house and granite

Seal and peel of air dried skin

Isle Man

Green paste, white mortar

Smoke, ember’s flare

Grease and grind of new-set limb

Heal Man

Violet eye and totem

Star, whorl on land

Guide and sage in my life time

Spirit Man